Sidewalk cafés: City looks to expand outdoor eateries

Proposals for sidewalk cafés and the expansion of a local business both got the green light during Monday’s meeting of the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission.

The commission unanimously approved a request from the Downtown Development Authority to create an ordinance allowing sidewalk cafés throughout the downtown area. While some area establishments have been engaging in this practice in recent years, there is no specific ordinance in place governing these activities.

The new ordinance, from all appearances, will be designed to provide clear guidelines to encourage area businesses to take their food and beverages into the streets. The sidewalk café concept, supporters believe, should expand the available service space of local restaurants while attracting more patrons to the individual establishments.

The final ordinance may also include provisions allowing for the sale and consumption of alcohol with those meals, provided all stipulations of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission are met.

“Those are things the Planning Commission itself will have to take a look at,” said City Manager Spencer Nebel as the commission cleared the way for that body to comprise a proposed ordinance.

The commission also unanimously authorized the sale of 3.79 acres of land for Lot 12 in the Industrial Park to R&B Electronics for $10,000. The sale of the parcel will clear the way for a proposed 18,000-square-foot expansion to the existing facility which will bring 8-10 new jobs to the community upon completion.

While the Economic Development Corporation has a goal of $5,000 per acre for any land sales within the park, the commission was not opposed to selling the property at a reduced rate.

“I don’t have a problem with selling it for less,” said Commissioner Jeff Stefanski. “Development is just going to add to the area and we’ll collect the taxes.”

Finally, the commission formally received the 2013-14 budget at Monday’s meeting and will reconvene at 4:15 p.m. today to begin compiling its “Hit and Wish” list designed to identify items that should be cut or added in the upcoming fiscal year. The commissioners will vote on those matters at another special session to be held at 4:15 p.m. Monday before the official budget heads for final approval in May.